Jeffrey Wright Defends Casting Against Racist Backlash in The Batman

SCANDAL ROCKS HOLLYWOOD: JEFFREY WRIGHT SLAMS CRITICS FOR RACIST COMMENTS ON HIS CASTING IN THE BATMAN

In a shocking move, Oscar-nominated actor Jeffrey Wright is pushing back against critics who claimed that his casting as Lt. James Gordon in the 2022 blockbuster The Batman was "defiling" the franchise. The 59-year-old Westworld star, who is Black, is speaking out against the racist comments that have been circulating online.

According to sources close to the production, Wright's casting was met with resistance from some fans and critics who felt that the role should have gone to a white actor to maintain the "authenticity" of the original comic book. However, Wright is having none of it, calling out the critics for their "blindness" in failing to recognize the evolution of society.

"It's just so blind in a way that I find revealing to not recognize that the evolution of these films reflects the evolution of society," Wright told The Scholarly Note on Tuesday. "It's like they think that just because it was written 80 years ago, we should still be living in that same era."

Wright, who has been a part of the entertainment industry for over three decades, is no stranger to playing complex and nuanced characters. He has appeared in films such as Angels in America and Mudbound, as well as TV shows like Westworld and Boardwalk Empire.

When asked about his casting as Gordon, Wright pointed out that New York City, which serves as the template for Gotham in the Batman series, is a multicultural city with a diverse population. "If you look around New York City today, it's not just white people living there," Wright said. "It's a modern American metropolis, and if we're going to make a film that's reflective of that, then yes, we should have Black characters in these roles."

Wright also took aim at the notion that his casting was somehow "defiling" the franchise. "I think it's a load of nonsense," he said. "Bob Kane and Bill Finger were two Jewish guys from the Bronx who created Batman, but they didn't create a character that was limited to white people only."

In fact, Wright argues that the original creators of Batman intended for their characters to be open-ended and adaptable to changing times. "What they imagined was open-ended," Wright said. "They didn't say 'this is just for white people' or 'this is just for a particular time period.' They created something that could be reinterpreted and reimagined over the years."

Wright's comments come as he prepares to reprise his role as Gordon in The Batman Part II, which begins filming next year. With director Matt Reeves at the helm, the film is expected to continue the success of the first installment, with a release date slated for October 1, 2027.

When asked about the project's progress, Wright expressed excitement and optimism. "We're going to be pushing the boundaries even further," he said. "Matt has a clear vision for this film, and I think it's going to be something really special."

But Wright's conversation with The Scholarly Note wasn't just limited to his work on The Batman series. He also spoke about his experience working on Westworld, which he called "a documentary" in its own right.

"I think every day that becomes more and more the case," Wright said of the HBO series, which began airing in 2016. "What Westworld was ultimately centered on was the technology, but more so its usage and by whom and to what end. It was a show about power and control by the few over the many."

Wright's comments about Westworld come as he expresses concern about the increasing concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a small group of individuals. "That's super dangerous," he said.

As Wright looks to the future, it's clear that he will continue to be at the forefront of the conversation about representation and diversity in Hollywood. With his sharp wit and incisive commentary, he is sure to keep audiences talking for years to come.